Graduation Requirements

To receive a high school diploma, a student entering Grade 9 in the 2014-2015 school year and thereafter must complete the following:

(1) requirements of the Foundation High School Program

(2) testing requirements for graduation in End of Course exams in the courses of English I, English II, Biology, Algebra I, and U.S. History.

(3) demonstrated proficiency, as determined by the district in which the student is enrolled, in delivering clear verbal messages; choosing effective nonverbal behaviors; listening for desired results; applying valid critical-thinking and problem-solving processes; and identifying, analyzing, developing, and evaluating communication skills needed for professional and social success in interpersonal situations, group interactions, and personal and professional presentations.

A student entering Grade 9 in the 2014-2015 school year and thereafter shall enroll in the courses necessary to complete the curriculum requirements for the Foundation High School Program and the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement

A student may graduate under the Foundation High School Program without earning an endorsement if, after the student's sophomore year:

(1) the student and the student's parent or person standing in parental relation to the student are advised by a school counselor of the specific benefits of graduating from high school with one or more endorsements; and

(2) the student's parent or person standing in parental relation to the student files with a school counselor written permission, on a form adopted by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), allowing the student to graduate under the Foundation High School Program without earning an endorsement.

A student may also earn a distinguished level of achievement under the Foundation High School Program, an endorsement, and a performance acknowledgment on the transcript if the student satisfies the applicable requirements.

College Board Advanced Placement courses may be substituted as appropriate for required courses. A single College Board Advanced Placement course may not count toward more than one credit required for graduation. If a College Board Advanced Placement course is substituted for a required course, that course may not satisfy a requirement for an advanced course, but may count toward both a required course and an endorsement. College Board Advanced Placement courses may satisfy elective credit requirements.

Courses offered for dual credit at or in conjunction with an institution of higher education that provide advanced academic instruction beyond, or in greater depth than, the essential knowledge and skills for the equivalent high school course required for graduation may satisfy graduation requirements, including requirements for required courses, advanced courses, and courses for elective credit as well as requirements for endorsements.

A student may not be enrolled in a course that has a required prerequisite unless:

(1) the student has successfully completed the prerequisite course(s);

(2) the student has demonstrated equivalent knowledge as determined by the school district; or

(3) the student was already enrolled in the course in an out-of-state, an out-of-country, or a Texas nonpublic school and transferred to a Texas public school prior to successfully completing the course.

Information for Parents of Freshmen

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